WFP feeding 1.4 million Syrians

Over 1.4 million Syrians are now dependent on food assistance provided by the UN World Food Programme WFP.

The organization says in areas where fighting is taking place, food prices have also most doubled and shortages of essential food stuffs such as bread is a regular occurrence due to lack of fuel to operate bakeries.

The monthly food rations are being distributed in 14 Syrian governorates by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

WFP says it was concerned over the humanitarian situation of people trapped by the fighting in some parts of Homs, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor and Dara'a governorates and some parts of rural Damascus.

Elisabeth Byrs from WFP says food distribution is not taking place in these areas due to heavy fighting.

"We give them enough food for one month. This food basket includes staple commodities such as rice, oil, canned beans and also tea. When WFP launched the emergency operation in Syrian in October 2011, we were reaching 250,000 beneficiaries. In may and June we reached 500,000 and now we are reaching 1.4 million."